Reports have surfaced suggesting that tech giant Apple is contemplating a strategic move to acquire ESPN, a powerhouse in the live sports broadcasting arena. The notion arises from a recent market study, indicating that Apple is eyeing the opportunity to secure broadcasting rights for major sporting leagues such as the NBA, NFL, MLB, and more.
UFC’s exclusive broadcast partnership with ESPN, valued at approximately $300 million annually, is set to expire in 2025.
Endeavor CEO Ari Emanuel acknowledged a positive relationship with ESPN back in March. Emanuel anticipated a positive outcome for both parties during renewal negotiations.
The sports rights landscape has seen escalating deals, with streaming platforms like Amazon and Apple bidding significantly for exclusive rights.
Endeavor, UFC’s parent company, has experience in sports rights negotiations through prior deals with FOX and ESPN, and is well-informed about trends in the industry.
The Big 10 deal negotiated by Endeavor set a precedent for significant earnings over a seven-year contract, which indicates a potential increase in UFC’s broadcast rights earnings.
UFC’s growth, including the success of ESPN+ and new shows like The Contender Series and The Ultimate Fighter, supports its status as one of the fastest-growing sports with diverse demographics.
Later, in April, rumors surfaced that UFC and WWE could become a package deal.
WWE and UFC plan separate media rights deals for linear TV, but may explore a combined streaming agreement after current contracts expire.
WWE’s streaming deal with NBCUniversal’s Peacock ends in 2026, while UFC’s deal with ESPN for exclusive rights to pay-per-view matches expires in 2025.
WWE CEO Nick Khan suggests potential combined streaming talks, aiming for respect in negotiations with NBCUniversal and Fox for linear TV rights.
Endeavor’s acquisition of WWE ($9.3 billion deal) and its combination with UFC ($21 billion publicly traded holding company) aims for synergies.
WWE’s Vince McMahon returns as executive chairman and controlling shareholder, with plans for a separate-but-collaborative operation with UFC.
Despite combined ownership, WWE and UFC will maintain distinct operations; sports betting integration plans are underway.
The recent success of Apple’s broadcasting service, partly attributed to the impact of streaming Lionel Messi’s journey, has underscored the immense revenue potential that live sports can bring to the company. This realization seems to have spurred Apple’s CEO, Tim Cook, to explore the prospect of acquiring a key player in the field. Experts at Front Office Sports are predicting that Apple’s path to dominating the live sports broadcasting domain might involve the acquisition of none other than ESPN.
ESPN, a venerable name in sports broadcasting, has long held the mantle of the world’s premier sports network. Acquired by Disney in 1996 for a substantial sum of $19 billion, ESPN’s reach and influence have grown exponentially. It boasts broadcasting rights to a slew of prestigious leagues and tournaments, encompassing the NFL, NBA, WNBA, MLB, NHL, UFC, PGA Tour, Grand Slam tennis, Formula 1, and an array of collegiate sports in the United States.
With a 44-year legacy, ESPN has expanded its footprint across Europe and Latin America, becoming a significant global player. Disney’s acquisition of Capital Cities/ABC conferred it an 80% stake in ESPN, thereby making Disney the primary majority shareholder. Historically, the sale of sports broadcasting companies has entailed substantial portfolios. However, Apple’s route to asserting dominance in this realm could involve a focused bid solely for ESPN’s sports channels.
The pivotal question arises: What would be the financial outlay for Apple to acquire ESPN? Financial analysts speculate that, considering inflation and ESPN’s present valuation, a competitive offer from Apple could range from $50 to $60 billion. To provide context, Disney had purchased ESPN for $38 billion, and even with a $50 billion offer, a substantial profit margin could be realized. Notably, Disney is navigating challenges, including labor disputes with writers and actors. The influx of funds from a potential sale could facilitate resolution and alleviate the company’s predicament.
Amid ESPN’s history of workforce reductions, Apple’s entry could provide stability. Apple’s established infrastructure positions it to mitigate these issues, ensuring a smoother transition. With the possibility of an offer from Apple on the horizon, the question remains whether Disney would deem such a proposition advantageous.